Lobbying stunt causes scare for lawmakers

DAVID ROYSEAssociated Press

Published Friday, May 30, 2003

TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- A doctor's group sent toy petri dishes to lawmakers' offices as a lobbying stunt to draw attention to high malpractice insurance rates, but the gimmick caused a bioterrorism scare that has instigated a police investigation.

The Florida College of Emergency Physicians sent mailings that arrived in several legislators' district offices Thursday which contained a toy petri dish and made a reference to deadly viruses.

It was later determined that the mailings were simply meant to point out the dangers of not having enough doctors -- and that the packages were harmless, said Senate spokeswoman Sarah Bascom.

Doctors are fighting for a solution to the skyrocketing cost of malpractice insurance and Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday called lawmakers into special session next month to address it. Doctors say they can't afford insurance and that's creating the prospect of a lack of medical professionals to treat Floridians.

Several senators received packages at their hometown offices containing a toy petri dish with a message implying that if the dish were to contain a deadly virus such as SARS, help may not be available in Florida emergency rooms.

Several of them called the Senate Sergeant at Arms out of concern for their safety, Bascom said. As a result the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was called in to investigate.

"Because of the current terrorism alerts and past concerns regarding the mailing of anthrax spores, we cannot and will not assume anything where our safety is involved," said Senate Sergeant Donald Severance.

"It's our understanding from FDLE and the sergeants' office that it has been determined these things are not harmful," Bascom said. "Also, the sender has sent out a letter saying 'Oops, sorry.'"

Most lawmakers are in their districts. The special session on malpractice issues begins June 14.

Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, said he understood that the issue was emotional and important to those involved but that it troubled him that an organization representing doctors would send questionable packages to legislative offices.

"I would hope that all of the parties involved would think carefully about what they say or do," King said.